EUGENE, Ore.— The child care playground at Lane Community College has become the college’s newest outdoor learning lab. The playground has been transformed into a natural playscape with grass, trees and natural materials.
Families have been invited to celebrate the playground’s grand opening during the open house of the Child & Family Education Center, on Friday Sept. 23, from 9-10:30 a.m. and then again from 12-1:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend. The center and playground are located in the child care village on the southwest corner of main campus, 4000 E. 30th Avenue in Eugene.
“Natural playscapes are places of exploration, discovery and learning,” said Child and Family Education Manager Sue Norton. “They promotes more sustained, complex and creative play. Natural spaces offer discoveries and rich learning opportunities.”
The playground offers movable climbing pieces that can be manipulated and changed by children. The variety of terrain and ground surfaces challenge physical skills. Studies have shown enhancement and improvement in mental and physical health. Early childhood is a critical time for connecting with nature. Natural playscapes connect young children with the natural world.
“Teaching children the importance of outdoor play help young children build a relationship with their natural environment so they are invested in it's future,” said Norton.
For more information about the Child and Family Education program at Lane, go online at: http://lanecc.edu/cfe
If you need accommodation to attend this event, contact the Center for Accessible Resources at (541) 463-5150 or accessibleresources@lanecc.edu
For more information about Lane Community College:
Lane is an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disabilities Employer
###